Kidderminster Harriers 1-2 Walsall – Report

Kidderminster 1-2 Walsall

The Saddlers came from behind again to continue their unbeaten start to pre-season with a win in near incinerating conditions at a sun baked Aggborough as a small contingent of Saddlers supporters took the opportunity to take their first glimpses of the side for the forthcoming season.
With the exception of Lewis, the ginger kid who started in goal, everyone in the starting XI was known from last season`s squad, with J Chambers, Holden, Butler and Taylor lining up in a strong looking back four. Featherstone and Mantom started in central midfield with Hemmings on the left and Baxendale on the right. Craig Westcarr started up front with Romaine Sawyers.

I`d like to be able to describe both Kidderminster`s opener and the subsequent equaliser from Craig Westcarr, but due to a couple of unsavoury incidents from some of our intellectually challenged supporters, my attention was drawn elsewhere at the time of the goals.

The good news was that we weren`t behind for long, hitting back almost immediately after what had been quite a tepid opening half an hour with the match being played with all the intensity of a pre-season friendly. It is, however, the third time in as many games that we`d fallen behind to the opening goal, and is a trend Dean Smith will need to knock on the head before the serious business of league action starts in three weeks time.

We managed to go into half time ahead thanks to a thumping finish into the roof of the net from Sawyers following a neat pull back from Baxendale, and it would have been 3-1 had Craig Westcarr not seen a spot kick saved after he himself was brought down (clearly not worth Will Grigg money).

Half time saw us make four changes and bring on Taylor Morgan, a forward who looks about 9ft tall and was plying his trade in the MLS last year. There was also an ex striker from Doncaster who I was lead to believe was name Jordan Hall, but having searched for him on Wikipedia, the only entry for a Jordan Hall I could find was a concert venue in Massachusetts, suggesting that possibly wasn`t his name (Jordan Ball). Mal Benning also came on and had a steady second half while there were also late cameos for Ben Purkiss, Paul Downing, and promising flame haired midfielder Reece Flanaghan.

The most encouraging aspect of the game, apart from the result, was that we did seem to be following on from last year and keeping the ball on the old terra firma. Ashley Hemmings also looked interested and if we could get the best out of him this season we could still have a decent player on our hands.

Onwards to Alfreton now on Tuesday night, hopefully the weather will be a bit cooler.

@adamguestwfc